Storm Reading

It looks like Hurricane Sandy is coming our way.  While those in certain areas face mandatory evacuations, others wait to hear if there will be subway and bus service, people are stocking up on essentials, and three states have already declared states of emergency, everyone is bracing for what is increasingly certain to be a storm for the record books.  Worse than last year’s Irene (which caused devastation far inland in locations like New York State’s Adirondack’s Mountains), meteorologists predict.

Today was definitely the proverbial calm before the storm.  A bit of sunshine, warm-for-late-October temperatures, and light breezes did not quite mask the sinister undercurrent that a monster is lurking in the shadows.

While, naturally, my first hope and prayer is that all those in the path of Hurricane Sandy remain safe, the storm’s approach reminds me of some weather-related reading.

When a sudden thunderstorm blows in on a hot summer day, a farm family scrambles to close the windows and do whatever else is necessary to keep everything safe and dry.  Sound effects add to the delight of this funny tale with a wonderful surprise ending.  Perfect for kids who are afraid of the noisy weather events and anyone else who enjoys a rollicking story.

Three years ago, Alyssa’s parents were lost in a hurricane–and the thirteen-year-old has not spoken a word since.  Now, with another storm approaching her Galveston home, will she be able to speak to save the lives of those she loves?  A can’t-put-it-down novel for kids 10 and up.

Even young kids will learn facts about hurricanes: the five categories, wind speed, storm surge, and more.  With information about “What to do when a hurricane is approaching. . .” this is a valuable source of information as well as an entertaining, attractively-illustrated book.

Geared toward a somewhat older audience than the above.  Chock-full of information and dramatic photos and satellite images, this book is a must-read for young readers interested in learning more about these powerful storms.  Even those who aren’t weather buffs might be after taking a look at premier science writer Seymour Simon’s fascinating look at this awesome weather phenomenon.

Stay safe, everyone, and we’ll meet again on the other side of the storm.

Three Thunderstorms and Counting

When my husband’s radio alarm sounded at 5-something this morning, I heard the announcer state that he was waiting for the thunderstorm to arrive.  I expressed a silent hope that the tempest would wait until I was up and about.  Not, as one would reasonably believe, because I craved a couple more hours of sleep, but because I enjoy thunderstorms.  When the stormy weather arrives, I want to be able to experience it while fully awake.

Round One

I got my wish–in spades.  The thunder-boomer did not arrive until after noon, by which time Long Island to the east and other areas had already been inundated.  (I had begun to wonder if the storm had missed Brooklyn altogether, and was considering watering my very thirsty marigolds.  Good thing I put off giving them a drink.)  When the light and sound show began, it was nonstop, but relatively short-lived.  Before I knew it, the sun began making an appearance behind the very impressive storm clouds–as evidenced by distinct shadows outside.

Round Two

As the day moved into mid-afternoon, the light dimmed–and again was heard the unmistakable grumble of thunder.  I paused in the housework I’ve been catching up on and took advantage of the (to me, anyway) soothing sounds of the storm-born rumbling and the darkness, and allowed myself the luxury of an hour-long slumber.  When I awoke, the latest weather event appeared to have moved on.

Round Three

But not for long.  Afternoon had barely faded into evening when the sounds of either a new storm–or a continuation of the previous one(s), I am not sure which–began to be heard.  A weather forecast informs me this will be the pattern for this evening.  Perhaps by the time this wet Wednesday has come to an end, I’ll have had my fill of thunderstorms–at least until the next round.

Greetings from the Baked Apple

I’m happy.  No, another previously undiscovered Eva Ibbotson novel has not been unearthed (at least not to my knowledge).  Here’s why I’m in a good mood:  Just in time for the advent of summer, the temperatures are soaring toward the century mark.  But is experiencing heat, humidity, and discomfort a cause for rejoicing?  What’s the reason for the celebration?  Only this: since the leaves begin turning their glorious autumn hues and drifting off the trees in the fall, I await the return of summery weather.  Autumn and winter have their beauty and charm, it’s true.  But when the first tiny plants bravely poke out of the ground, my spirits take off.  And when we retire our winter apparel for the season, I feel like we’ve made it.  (It must be how people felt in times gone by when they survived another harsh winter.)

I may be in the minority.  However, that doesn’t bother me.  So, even if my fellow human beings are hurrying to beat the heat, I am enjoying the triple-H weather.  Just give me my trusty water bottle, some sunblock lotion, a bit of a refreshing breeze, and an occasional break in the presence of an air conditioner.  For all too soon, this magnificent season will only be a memory.

Rainy Days and Reading

This day is made for reading.  Okay, every day is a great day to read, but the damp dreariness that is expected to continue at least until nightfall, and end as a bit (or a fair amount, depending on where you are) of white stuff is tailor-made lose-yourself-in-a-book weather.  If this were not a work day, I know what I would be doing: finally coming closer to the conclusion of Inheritance, the final volume in Christopher Paolini’s fantasy series that began with Eragon (which the author started writing when he was 15 years old).  In fact, the balance of my lunch break will be taken up with reading a book, but which one?  As always, I am in the middle of several. There’s  Gary Blackwood’s Around the World in 100 Days, an ingenious follow-up to Jules Verne’s masterpiece.  Heart of a Samurai by Mari Preus is another possibility.  Or I could continue checking out Nina Blazon’s Pact of the Wolves. 

But the clock is ticking.  If I do not make a decision soon, it will be time to return to my post and I will not have read a single page. 

What are you reading on this rainy/snowy/sunny day where you are?

Snow?!?!!

It really happened.  The meteorologists forecast it, and we got it.  Snow in October.  It’s the first time, they say, that the white stuff stuck on the ground in the Big Apple in October since they started keeping records back in 1870.

I’m not really surprised.  This has been quite a year for weather events, especially if you include the late-December blizzard of 2010.  Then came the back-to-back snowstorms in January that resulted in an extended stay in Atlanta visiting our grandchildren–flying there the night before and returning home a day later.  (We did not complain about spending extra time with the family!)

Once spring finally came, it was beautiful and even more welcome than usual.  (Of course, with our daughter being engaged and getting married, even if it had stormed into summer, the sun would have been shining.)  Feeling the warmth and then the incredible heat of summer, we began to forget about the power of storms.

But then came Irene.  This monster hurricane was not content to wreak havoc on coastal areas in the tropics and southern climates.  Communities as far north and as far inland as Vermont and the Adirondack Mountains in New York felt the tempest’s fury.  After the water receded, people throughout the eastern United States began to hope for a respite.  Which many of us had, until today.

I usually find the first snowfall beautiful, a bit of softness taking the edge off the starkness of the bare trees.  However, most trees are in full leaf, and many leaves have not yet begun changing color.  It seems incongruous.

But then again, maybe it’s not.  We have been the recipients of many a spring snowfall, dusting flower-laden trees with a layer of the white stuff–and it was lovely.  This even more unusual event also has its own beauty, a beauty which lies in its rarity.  The weather will warm up again before winter really comes for its annual sojourn.  So for the few brief hours that the world is coated in white, let’s pause and enjoy something that the area has not seen in at least 140 years.

Be sure to visit http://BookAndAGarden.com throughout November.  In honor of Picture Book Month, reviews of outstanding picture books will be featured.

Hello, Autumn!

 

I once heard the phrase “summer fading into autumn.”  Whoever looks outside and sees the explosion of color on the trees and the abundance of fall blossoms knows that the season at our doorstep is anything but a shadow of the one that is concluding.  Even the cooler weather and shorter days have a specialness to them.  Brilliant sunshine and a warm breeze feel like wonderful gifts, and a glorious sunset that greets me on days that I return home from work a bit late is a treasured sight.  No, there is definitely nothing colorless about this time of year.  Even the autumnal appearance of frost, ice, and snow in northern climes is magical.  Frosty designs on a window, ice crystals dripping from tree branches, and the first snowflakes of the season are nothing less than magnificent.  So let’s truly enjoy fall and take the time to partake of  its delights before autumn fades into winter.  But that is another story…

Hurricane!

The clouds greeted us as we awakened this morning.  Rain began following, sometimes gently, sometimes forcefully, as the hours passed.  Yet, there were moments, even an hour or two, when the atmosphere remained dry.  As afternoon faded into evening, it became apparent that the storm was steadily approaching.  With half an hour left before sunset, the sky appeared uncharacteristically dark.  After nightfall, a radio announcer delivered not surprising news: the area had been placed under a hurricane warning and a tornado watch.  A short time later, the first flashes of lightning heralded the imminent arrival of the tempest.  As we learned that the storm is expected to make landfall not so very far from where we are, we wonder if sleep will elude us tonight…

The part of me that is a weather aficionado is fascinated by the meteorological phenomena about to unfold, even as I feel for those who have suffered loss and hope that we will be spared the worst that the storm can inflict.  But the book lover cannot help thinking of some fantastic titles–fiction and nonfiction–on the topic of weather.  Here’s a sample.

What happens when a twister strikes the farm and sweeps up Farmer Brown and all his animals?  Find out in this laugh-out-loud story that begs to be read aloud.

When Alyssa was ten, her parents were killed in a hurricane.  Before the tragedy, her father told her not to say anything until he returned.  Alyssa, now thirteen, has not spoken since that time.  However, another hurricane is approaching, and the teen realizes that she must speak in order to save her grandfather’s life.

An outstanding children’s science writer describes these storms and clearly presents facts about them.  Included are vivid photographs.  (Also check out the author’s book, Tornadoes.)  Even though both are in picture-book format, they will attract older readers, as well.

Back to the weather-watching…